aside Suicide Is Up By 25% In The USA For Past Two Decades/ Antony Bourdain And Kate Spade

ANTHONY BOURDAIN

The death by suicide of two icons in the world of food, travel and the fashion industry reminds all of us that no matter what the mask that people wear when dealing with others, we never know what demons, they are fighting. In the case of Kate Spade (55 years old) with her pocketbook line that launched her career, she refused to seek help as that could mar her image. Anthony Bourdain (61 years old) brought joy and warmth to every one he met but he was also open about his past battles with alcoholism and drug usage. Both presented themselves to the public and others with a “full of life” attitude.

Both had young daughters that they left behind. This just shows you the power of this mental illness called depression. This also highlights the importance of figuring out how to make treatment for mental health more easily available, affordable and accessible.

KATE SPADE

It is so important for all of us to treat others with kindness and care. Each of us can make a difference to bring out the best in others. Don’t let this current era of Trumpism make it okay to treat anyone else as unimportant or of having less value.

On the 8th day of May 2018, Brian Stelter of CNN reported on the following, “CNN’s Anthony Bourdain dead at 61.”

Excerpts:

“Anthony Bourdain, a gifted storyteller and writer who took CNN viewers around the world, has died. He was 61.”

“CNN confirmed Bourdain’s death on Friday and said the cause of death was suicide.”

“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network said in a statement Friday morning. “His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”

“Bourdain was in France working on an upcoming episode of his award-winning CNN series. His close friend Eric Ripert, the French chef, found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room Friday morning.”

“Bourdain was a master of his crafts — first in the kitchen and then in the media. Through his TV shows and books, he explored the human condition and helped audiences think differently about food, travel and themselves. He advocated for marginalized populations and campaigned for safer working conditions for restaurant staffs.”

Along the way, he received practically every award the industry has to offer.

“He’s irreverent, honest, curious, never condescending, never obsequious,” the judges said. “People open up to him and, in doing so, often reveal more about their hometowns or homelands than a traditional reporter could hope to document.”

The Smithsonian once called him “the original rock star” of the culinary world, “the Elvis of bad boy chefs.”

“In 1999 he wrote a New Yorker article, “Don’t Eat Before Reading This,” that became a best-selling book in 2000, “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.”

The book set him on a path to international stardom.”

“First he hosted “A Cook’s Tour” on the Food Network, then moved to “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” on the Travel Channel. “No Reservations” was a breakout hit, earning two Emmy Awards and more than a dozen nominations.”

“In 2013 both Bourdain and CNN took a risk by bringing him to the news network still best known for breaking news and headlines. Bourdain quickly became one of the principal faces of the network and one of the linchpins of the prime time schedule.”

“While accepting the Peabody award in 2013, Bourdain described how he approached his work.”

“We ask very simple questions: What makes you happy? What do you eat? What do you like to cook? And everywhere in the world we go and ask these very simple questions,” he said, “we tend to get some really astonishing answers.”

KATE SPADE

“Bourdain’s death happened after fashion designer Kate Spade hanged herself in an apparent suicide at her Manhattan apartment on Tuesday. Spade was found hanged by a scarf she allegedly tied to a doorknob, an NYPD source said.”

13 comments

Gronda, not all suicides are due to gun deaths, but the number one gun death reason by far is suicide. There is a sad equation that needs to be understood:

Depression+Gun Access+Impulsive decision=Suicide

This is why access to weapons on college campuses is an awful idea, so says college psychologists and counselors. It is also why homes with a gun have a far greater propensity toward suicide than one without.
Keith

Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
‘Suicide Is Up By 25% In The USA For Past Two Decades’ … anyone care to address mental health issues in this nation? … why to we lose the ‘good ones’ while the ‘bad ones’ stay? Just sayin’ …

I never particularly cared for Bourdain’s TV show and I’d never even heard of Kate Spade. Nevertheless, when suicide enters the picture, it’s a sad reminder that things are not always as they seem. And it’s terribly sad when individuals feel this is the only way to eliminate pain in their lives.

These two US icons were admired and beloved by many. But like them and many before them, too many wear a mask to cover up their despair. You never know what others could be suffering. This is a reminder to treat others with kindness as we wouldn’t want to be adding to someone’s pain.

This existential angst which we feel as “depression” is as old as humanity itself. It stems from the original question: why are we here and what is our purpose? Well, I don’t have an answer to that but I do agree with Gronda’s insight – take it one day at a time, appreciate the moment were in, and let’s be there for one another.

I’ve really enjoyed Mr. Bourdain’s sense of humour and creativity, he will be greatly missed in the culinary world, RIP. My best advice for depression sufferers – try to restore internal balance by retreating from our so-called collective reality and spend some time meditating/ reflecting in nature, a new perspective arise.

Whenever I get a little down because of all this b.s. we are living through, I take off to the beach or somewhere with beautiful gardens. Just being there is mesmerizing and relaxing. There is something about enjoying nature, watching the animal life, enjoying the surrounding awesomeness that is comforting.

But alas, the fix for depression is not always that easily remedied. Doing away with the stigma of mental illness, so that people were freer to go for help, would be a step in the right direction.

I agree, there are various factors which lead to depression, it may be chemical imbalance due to environmental or diet, or mental stress, emotional issues, lack of purpose etc. I do agree that getting help is crucial, but alas this administration is not making it any easier for those in need!